Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians captain revealed that he thinks of himself as the least important person in the squad and instead always tries to ensure that he gets the most out of his teammates whenever they take the field in the Indian Premier League 2020.
Rohit Sharma, the most successful IPL skipper with four titles to his name, opened up on his team’s success and how he likes to lead his team Mumbai Indians on the first episode of India Today Inspiration season two. Rohit Sharma scored 92 runs including a score of 80 against Kolkata Knight Riders which they won by 49 runs.
Rohit Sharma Thinks Himself As Last And Least Important Member And The Other 10 Cricketers Are More Important To Him To Get Best Out Of Them
Undoubtedly, the most important and dependable member in Mumbai Indians’ squad, Rohit Sharma is high on confidence as he starts the season after receiving the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour in India.
“I want my teammates to be on the same page as I am. When I talk to my player I think of myself as the least important person in the squad. I think as if I’m not important, you are important because you are going to execute the plans so whatever you want I will do it.”
“When I’m leading the side I’m the least important person. That’s how I want to think because if I’m thinking about how to take the team forward myself I won’t be able to do it. I’m thinking that I’m the last member of the squad and the other 10 are important for me. That’s how I will get the best out of them.”
“I see how I can get little contributions from all the players. And of course, my performance is also important. I want to make sure that the 10 guys who are playing and the other players on the bench, I should be talking to them and make them feel important. And that is something that I learned from Ricky Ponting (former MI player and coach),” Rohit said on Inspiration.
“The first thing Ponting told me that when you are captaining you can’t be thinking about how you want them to do it. Always listen to them, take it in your stride and then filter it and give it to them. It was great learning for me when he was a part of Mumbai,” he added.
A prolific run-getter, the Hitman is one of the most naturally gifted batsmen in the world and has been enjoying a tremendous run with the bat especially in the shortest format where there are few who can match his striking abilities. Rohit Sharma proved why he is regarded as a man with special talent when he became the first and so far only batsman to strike three double centuries in the ODIs.
Rohit Sharma: Players Will Be At Best When They Are Not Under Pressure
Since 2011, Rohit Sharma has been an integral part of the Mumbai Indians franchise guiding their batting line-up. He took over the team’s captaincy a couple of games into the 2013 season and led MI to their maiden IPL title.
When asked how he looks after the youngsters to get the best out of them, Rohit said: “Those players will come out good or will be at their best when they are not under pressure. When there is not too much talking going on about them in the squad. They get to know all these things.”
” When you are on the field people are expecting so much from all the cricketers who are playing for India. It’s something you can’t control because that’s the love for the game in the people.”
“That is what I’m trying to do with all the younger players I meet. I try to tell them not to take 5-7 years to get yourself ready,” he concluded.
Mumbai Indians won IPL every alternate odd year since 2013. They won it in 2013,2015,2017 and 2019. Last season they defeated Chennai Super Kings by one run in a thrilling contest.